Remembering Jesse: Barrington Bridge renamed for man who died in training accident

By JOEY CRESTA

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

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EJ Hersom/Staff photographer Air Force Staff Seargent Thomas Moore of Barrington hugs Jeffrey Conger during a ceremony Memorial Day in honor of Conger's son Army Specialist Jessie Conger who died in 2002 while training for a deployment to Afghanistan. Moore was best friends with Jessie while growing up in Barrington.

BARRINGTON — The bridge in town spanning the Isinglass River on Route 202 was renamed the Specialist Jesse Conger Memorial Bridge Monday in memory of the local man who tragically died seven years ago in an army training accident.

A special ceremony began in Pine Grove Cemetery off Route 9 Monday afternoon, where family, friends, local politicians and members of Rolling Thunder veteran's advocacy group gathered to remember Conger and what he gave for their country. Conger joined the Army in 2000 as a Barrington resident and graduate of Dover High School. He was killed in a training accident after a five-ton truck rolled over on March 22, 2002, in Ft. Lewis, Washington.

"When anybody joins the armed forces, they all take an oath to defend the Constitution to the death," said Jesse's father, Jeffrey Conger. Jeffrey also served in the Army and was in Germany for the construction of the Berlin Wall.

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EJ Hersom/Staff photographer
Jeffrey and Ann Conger arrive at a ceremony Memorial Day honoring their son Army Specialist Jesse Conger, who was the first New Hampshire soldier to die after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

"When he joined, I was curious why. He simply said, 'It's time,'" Jeffrey Conger said as a tear streamed down his face.

A small table at the ceremony displayed a number of personal items. One of those was a letter from Jesse to his father after he enlisted. On it, he said things to his father that were "easier on paper."

"I wanted to say that you are the best dad a guy can wish for," Jesse wrote. "PS: I didn't join the Army for any other reason than to better myself, and to make my father proud."

Both Jeffrey and his wife Ann said the naming of the bridge meant everything to them. The bridge is near their home in Barrington and every time they drive over it, they will remember their son.

"It means so much. I'm so overwhelmed," said Ann. "It is for Jesse. And it's Memorial Day, so it's for so many faces."

She said her father served in World War II and she remembers watching war documentaries with him. She said she could "remember the faces of those so young men with lives cut short."

"God gave me Jesse for 22 years and I thank him for that," she said.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Moore, who grew up chasing frogs with Jesse, presented Jeffrey and Ann Conger with his security police badge during the ceremony. The badge symbolizes his duty to protect and serve, he said.

"I looked up to Jesse and he protected me," Moore said.

Members of Rolling Thunder's New Hampshire chapter were on hand at the behest of Jeffrey Conger. Jesse's loved ones "are the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice," said board member Scott Suchovsky.

Rolling Thunder advocates for prisoners of war and missing-in-action soldiers. They are often seen riding motorcycles and arrived at Monday's ceremonies on their bikes. Suchovsky said they ride "because it creates attention for our cause."

The bridge memorial was made possible after Jeffrey Conger met with State Sen. Jackie Cilley about a year ago. Cilley and State Rep. Susan Price reached out to other political figures to get the legislation through the Senate and House and to the desk of Gov. John Lynch, who signed the bill.

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EJ Hersom/Staff photographer
John Newman plays the bagpipes Memorial Day in honor of Army Specialist Jesse Conger, who died while training for a deployment to Afghanistan.

"This was marvelous," Cilley said. "The bridge is never going to replace their son. The only thing you can do for someone who lost a child is be there."

State Rep. Bob Perry read a proclamation from Lynch during the ceremony. Afterward, Selectman David Frase read a second proclamation, from the town of Barrington.

Following the ceremony at the cemetery, a small gathering was held at the bridge. New posted signs will remind passersby of the Conger family's sacrifice. Ann Conger cast a wreath into the Isinglass in honor of her fallen son.

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EJ Hersom/Staff photographer
State Sen. Jackie Cilley speaks during a ceremony Memorial Day honoring Army Specialist Jesse Conger, who became the first New Hampshire soldier to die after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

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EJ Hersom/Staff photographer
Jeffrey Conger salutes guests attending a Memorial Day ceremony in honor of his son Army Specialist Jesse Conger, who became the first New Hampshire soldier to die after the Sept. 11, 2001. At left, is Jesse's mother, Ann.